Chapter 5 Anticipating a New Life

I wore a simple white shirt and black pants as I arrived at the outpatient lobby of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

Charles came out quickly to greet me after getting my message.

I gave him a big hug, and his chubby chest gave me a warm sense of security.

"Did something unpleasant happen to you at NYP?"

He held my shoulders, asking with concern. "After I recommended you to Dr. Radcliffe, the HR department did a background check on you as part of their process. They said you didn't pass the department director's review over there. Honestly, I was really surprised. But they're also not sure about the accuracy of this conclusion, because that director has now been suspended too, just yesterday, for an HR investigation."

I nodded, "His name is Carl Sanchez, a rapist. I'm the one who reported him to HR."

Charles immediately showed a "Got it" expression and patted my shoulder sympathetically.

"People like that will end up in hell. Although HR didn't give you favorable news, I've already recommended you to Dr. Radcliffe, Miranda. I believe you'll far exceed his expectations."

My eyes got hot, and I almost cried.

"Thank you, Charles."

In the conference room, my interview with Charles and Dr. Edward Radcliffe went very smoothly.

Edward was a middle-aged man in his forties, with black curly hair, a slightly receding hairline, black-framed glasses, and a serious expression. He didn't talk much.

But he nodded from time to time as I spoke, and Charles also showed me looks of approval and encouragement. I guessed this interview should be fine.

Near the end, my phone suddenly started vibrating like crazy, which sounded really scary in the quiet conference room. I quickly hung up and gave them both an apologetic smile, but the phone started vibrating again.

Edward said expressionlessly, "Seems like something urgent. Go ahead and answer it, don't worry about it."

I quickly turned off my phone completely and said awkwardly to Charles, "It's my foster mother, you know."

Charles nodded understandingly and said to Edward, "She has a very special family."

The interview ended soon, and the two doctors walked me to the stairwell.

Edward shook my hand.

I was sure I saw appreciation in his eyes.

"Dr. Blackthorne, your background is impeccable, and as a resident, you're quite excellent. But whether you can become a real cardiac surgeon here depends on your abilities. We're a high-end private hospital, different from NYP, where you worked before. We put more emphasis on comprehensive service, standing from the patient's perspective and providing them with the most effective treatment plans. I hope you can adapt quickly."

With that, he patted Charles on the shoulder, "Your professor is about to retire. He'll help you become a real surgeon."

I nodded hard, "I'll do my absolute best! Thank you."

I did it!

Walking out of the hospital, I quickly turned on my phone and called Victoria back.

Before I could say anything, I heard a roar from the phone: "You actually hung up on me and then turned off your phone! How dare you?!"

I rolled my eyes at the sky. Save that for the me from ten years ago, who lived in anxiety every day and didn't dare disobey Victoria's words at all.

Of course, for now, I still had to go along with her, since I still needed a place to stay temporarily.

So I said humbly, "Mom, I'm really sorry. I was in an interview just now. I know you must have had something very important, but the situation was really critical for me at that moment. You also want me to find a job soon so I can stop bothering you at home, right? Sorry again."

This didn't sound like a daughter talking to her mom at all. It was more like an Indian outsourced customer service rep talking to an angry American customer.

I heard her complaining angrily on the phone, then she ordered.

"My wedding is in three days, at the Luciano Estate! My husband, Mr. Domenico Luciano, wants both families to gather together, so you're honored to be invited too. Otherwise, you'd never have a chance to step into this palace-like estate in your lifetime."

I made a face at the phone. I've been to Disneyland, after all!

"Congratulations, really! Mom, you're getting richer and richer. Actually, I don't have to go. I, I don't have anything suitable to wear."

I could already imagine Victoria and Eleanor looking down on me in their expensive clothes.

Attend her wedding?

This wasn't a good thing.

Honestly, I'd rather believe she was calling me because she needed a waitress at the wedding.

"The dress and jewelry have already been sent over! You're my daughter, so don't embarrass me!"

Then she hung up.

Palace?

Looks like Victoria's marriage partner this time was obviously much richer than her previous dead lawyer husband.

The Luciano Estate? I'd really never heard of it, but then again, I'd been away from LA for so many years.

And I'd never known any real wealthy people. I wasn't interested in their boring lives at all.

Not long after I got home, different cars started delivering things.

A super big box contained a light pink dress.

Oh my god!

Although I didn't care about the lives of the wealthy at all, this dress was so fucking beautiful! I couldn't take my eyes off it.

I jumped up from the sofa excitedly and quickly took off my clothes, eager to put it on.

Standing in front of the mirror, I wore a floor-length gown with a slim waist and a perky butt. I put my hair up, exposing a large area of my back. Well, I was about to fall in love with myself!

I spun around in the living room, admiring the skirt dancing as light as feathers. Today I was a Hollywood star!

Oh, right, there was also jewelry! I quickly opened the box.

Inside was a neatly arranged sapphire necklace, earrings, and a bracelet. This set of jewelry had at least ten sapphires of various sizes, and the largest one—the pendant in the center of the necklace—was as big as a pigeon egg.

Although I knew Victoria would never give me all these things—they were probably rented, and I needed to be careful wearing them—this was still the first time she'd spent so much money on me.

It seemed she really valued this wedding. I had to appear presentable as Victoria's foster daughter.

Although she always cared about appearances, was she really willing to spend this much money? On me?

This successfully sparked my curiosity. What kind of place was the Luciano Estate? And what kind of person was this nominal new father of mine?

Three days later, in the morning, I spent two hours carefully braiding my hair, putting on makeup, and getting dressed. Finally, I was ready. I carefully held up my skirt, walked out the door, and got into the stretch Cadillac at the entrance—obviously also arranged by my mother!

When I stepped into the Luciano Estate, I admitted that my imagination had been too limited. Although I'd been to Disneyland a few times, at this moment, I still felt like a country girl entering the city for the first time!

This Luciano Estate was just too huge and luxurious!